Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/74

 low-growing, kinky hair seemed about to touch the brow; then like a flash it cleared, and the girl wondered if the face she had seen were real.

At the last blow of the crop Giles had winced, for a gurgling moan had come from the staggering horse.

"Oh, I say …" he began. Dessalines wheeled; his face was calm, but there was a lurid light deep in the somber eyes.

"It is a pity," he said. "One does not wish to be cruel, but the brute is very dangerous and it is either that or a bullet."

He mounted with a lithe swing; Virginia saw a red stain against the black of his hand; blood was trickling from the mouth of the horse.

"Good afternoon," said Dessalines, bowing from the saddle. He spoke gently to the horse, which moved off down the road. Giles's eyes followed him.

"Gad, what a brute!"

"Which?" said Virginia.

"Both," said Lady Maltby under her breath. 64